Got my mountain bike from the basement and went for my first ride in roughly 18 month. I bought it early last year, rode it home and then couldn’t ride it anymore for health reasons. Let it suffice to say that half of my left knee is now made of titanium plated chromemolybden steel…
I wasn’t fully at ease because should I crash and drop on said knee, the steel would reduce my kneecap to little pieces of bone. Not a nice thought, really.
Everything went fine, though, and riding the bike was a blast, my legs not being in best shape non-withstanding. Nothing on paper or on a screen can match the feeling of riding one’s bike in the sunshine, under a blue sky…
So here she is:
The bike is an Orbea Occam M30 full carbon full suspension bike, made in Catalonia, Spain, that falls into the category of light trail bikes (which means can handle the rough stuff, but not the ultra rough). The bike industry has come up with the term “down country” for these bikes, meaning it can climb like a cross country bike, but handle rough downhills. From their point of view, it also means that you will have to lose your XC bike and buy one of these. ‘Protect me from what I want.’ Jenny Holzer.
It sports 19” wheels, 150mm front- and rear suspension, and 12 speed shifting. I customized my specimen with electronic shifting (SRAM GX AXS), and the about most effective brakes SRAM has to offer. The wheels have been equipped with DT Swiss hubs that can actually take the beating the bike is designed for, and I also changed the cassette for a lighter weight/higher quality one. Every part on the bike is top quality. Given my age, and the fact that I knew that once retired I would be poor, I was perfectly aware this was the last bike I’d buy in my life - so why not make it my dream bike? Get while it lasts. And my dream bike it is!
Now comes the part I’m not so sure about - I hate selfies, but took one for you:
Yep, I know I should take care of my facial hair, but a. the selfie wasn’t planned, and b. it’s getting hot so fast in the morning right now so that there was no time left for vanity (which is a mortal sin anyway! 😂).
Yep, it's not an avatar for sure... 😂 Mind I finally brought what goes as a beard for me in shape this morning. Thank you so much for your friendly comment! 🙏
Your snapshot is so real and true to life, it really makes you feel like you're right there with you! It's so genuine and heartfelt! It's so lovely to see you back in form!